in a closet I don't have anything fancy.. I simply have a 2 shelf open entertainment table (I guess a coffee table if you will).. and 4' shop light with dual sunshine bulbs. in the closet part of the baseboard is in there with a plug outlet.
I'm not getting the results I thought I would. I simply looked at the closet with it having part of the baseboard to provide heat (but now we don't turn the heat on anymore).. and it having the outlet so I could plug in lights or whatever. my plants start off ok, but are not growing as fast as they should per say.
so what I would like to do is come up with a better growing unit - was thinking about building an indoor grow box instead of spending money on such a thing. how would I go about building one that will perfectly help me grow big healthy tomato and pepper plants hat when I see ready to go outside?
I'm tired of looking at my small 2" - 3" plants... so depressing!
usually I don't have such a hard time, but this year I started them a little earlier so I would have really nice plants, but at this rate... it's getting to be where I would have started them later like I used to.
building your own indoor grow box...
Last edited by Ruffsta on Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
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applestar
- Mod
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- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
If you can do it, taking them outside whenever the temp and weather are favorable makes a HUGE difference. Also review your soil mix. In my experience, seedlings grow so much better when there is a good % of organic compost in the mix. I prefer my own home made mix, but PREMIUM compost based mixes work well too.
I normally don't say this straight out but this year I had the chance to compare, and I definitely advise AGAINST Miracle Grow Organic potting soil. I bought a small bag in desperation earlier in late winter when I couldn't get anything else, and it sprouted mushrooms among the seedlings (which in of itself is not a bad thing) and I really think it contained fungus gnat eggs because all of a sudden they were everywhere. In this case, the mushrooms I think were an indication that the so called organic ingredients were not fully composted (yes legally they are still organic) because the seedlings started in the mix were showing nitrogen deficiency stress. They have been much happier since they have uppotted early with a better potting soil mix.
I know this isn't what you asked, but I've grown perfectly good tomato starts in windowless unheated garage with seedlings huddled under shoplights and holiday lights under/surrounding the pots to keep them warm, double wrapped in bubble wrap and plastic sheeting during depth of winter when temps dropped into the 20's; rickety table with cobbled together lights; and in an office cubicle with unauthorized extra shelf/under shef light unit and out-of-pocket Verilux grow light tubes. ("Please DO NOT turn off this light.It is connected to a timer.")
I normally don't say this straight out but this year I had the chance to compare, and I definitely advise AGAINST Miracle Grow Organic potting soil. I bought a small bag in desperation earlier in late winter when I couldn't get anything else, and it sprouted mushrooms among the seedlings (which in of itself is not a bad thing) and I really think it contained fungus gnat eggs because all of a sudden they were everywhere. In this case, the mushrooms I think were an indication that the so called organic ingredients were not fully composted (yes legally they are still organic) because the seedlings started in the mix were showing nitrogen deficiency stress. They have been much happier since they have uppotted early with a better potting soil mix.
I know this isn't what you asked, but I've grown perfectly good tomato starts in windowless unheated garage with seedlings huddled under shoplights and holiday lights under/surrounding the pots to keep them warm, double wrapped in bubble wrap and plastic sheeting during depth of winter when temps dropped into the 20's; rickety table with cobbled together lights; and in an office cubicle with unauthorized extra shelf/under shef light unit and out-of-pocket Verilux grow light tubes. ("Please DO NOT turn off this light.It is connected to a timer.")
Last edited by applestar on Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:08 am, edited 2 times in total.
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
we have a whole big thread going, a member who built his own propagation chamber/ grow box:
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33290&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=60
unfortunately all the pictures have disappeared out of it; he must have re-arranged stuff in photobucket, but I bet if you PM'd DoubleDogFarm, he might repost them or let you see them..
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33290&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=60
unfortunately all the pictures have disappeared out of it; he must have re-arranged stuff in photobucket, but I bet if you PM'd DoubleDogFarm, he might repost them or let you see them..
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DoubleDogFarm
- Super Green Thumb
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- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
on the outside of the box I would like to have a digital thermometer.. but I don't know how to do that.. especially make it read true.. I don't want it to read the heat from the light but more of actual temp in the box.
my intentions are to have a box that is totally enclosed (with a door or 2 that I can open).. mylar interior (or that styrofoam with silver paper on 1 side). an intake fan, an exhaust fan and a grow light. the outside with a digital thermometer and switches for the fans and lights (or just 1 main power switch).
any ideas?
my intentions are to have a box that is totally enclosed (with a door or 2 that I can open).. mylar interior (or that styrofoam with silver paper on 1 side). an intake fan, an exhaust fan and a grow light. the outside with a digital thermometer and switches for the fans and lights (or just 1 main power switch).
any ideas?